San Sebastián in Style: Hotel Maria Cristina, VIP Perks & Direct Flights from Edinburgh
Welcome to my travel itinerary for San Sebastián, a city I’ve always wanted to visit with its blend of Basque charm, Michelin-starred cuisine, and seaside elegance. This journey features a curated blend of direct British Airways flights from Edinburgh, a stay at the iconic Hotel Maria Cristina, handpicked cultural and culinary experiences, and exclusive VIP perks when you book through The Private Traveller in partnership with Fora Travel.
Why San Sebastián has been on my wish list — and how to plan your own VIP escape
In this itinerary, discover:
The best flights to Donostia‑San Sebastián (EAS)
My favourite hotel and suites
Activities and experiences tailored for luxury travellers
How to unlock VIP perks by booking with The Private Traveller & Fora Travel
The neo-Gothic splendour of Buen Pastor Cathedral, San Sebastián.
Flight Recommendations
Why this route was the perfect fit for us — and other direct BA options from Edinburgh
I love to fly, and have a few favourite airlines like British Airways and Qatar Airways, so for most places I go this usually involves either a connecting flight in London Heathrow (for BA) or Doha’s Hamad International (for Qatar). For me it’s all part of the experience, but ‘Mrs’ The Private Traveller is less keen on longer flights and multiple stops, so getting the ideal vacation trip can mean a direct flight from Edinburgh (ideally with the added extra of flying business class), a flight lasting less than 3 hours, and the trip of a week or less ideally, or certainly two weeks or less for a longer journey.
I knew that British Airways (under the subsidiary BA CityFlyer) has certain routes using their Embraer E190 regional jets, usually at weekends where they’re unable to fly from the usual base of London City Airport, because of restrictions. As far as I’m aware, this airport closes over the weekend, therefore I guess BA therefore have spare planes and staff. We flew on one of the routes from Edinburgh to Palma Mallorca, and this was ideal for ‘Mrs’ TPT ticking all the boxes.
I’ve not checked out all these routes and timings, but I knew there were flights to San Sebastian, then working out that these were only summer seasonal, but on this route there were two flights a week, Tuesday and Saturday. Trying to tie in a trip before the season ends, I therefore opted for the last flight out, and the last flight back.
Other options I understand are Ibiza (IBZ), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), Florence (FLR), Olbia in Sardinia (OLB), and Chambéry (CMF) — all served seasonally by British Airways from Edinburgh under their BA CityFlyer weekend programme, using Embraer E190 jets. These flights typically operate on weekends, making them perfect for a short getaway while still enjoying the convenience of flying direct from Edinburgh.
Monte Urgull crowned by the Sacred Heart, guarding the bay.
Luxury Accommodation Highlights
Where to Stay in San Sebastián
Hotel Maria Cristina – This iconic, Belle Époque landmark in the heart of San Sebastián has been welcoming royalty, film stars, and discerning travellers since 1912. Overlooking the Urumea River and just steps from the Old Town and La Concha beach, it’s the perfect base for exploring the city in style.
The iconic curve of La Concha Bay, San Sebastián.
When booking your stay through The Private Traveller & Fora Travel, you can access VIP perks under either Marriott’s own STARS programme or Virtuoso, depending on which works best for your dates and preferences. Both elevate your experience with exclusive benefits such as:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in Easo Restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit per stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in & late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Personalized amenity designed to make your stay even more memorable
VIP recognition by hotel management, including a personal welcome note acknowledging your status and our partnership
Whether you prefer to book under Marriott’s STARS or the global Virtuoso programme, you’ll enjoy an exceptional level of service and added value that you can only get when booking with an affiliated advisor like The Private Traveller.
Ready to book your stay?
Contact me at dave.gillan@fora.travel and I’ll help secure your preferred programme and ensure you get the best possible experience with all eligible perks.
Which programme to choose?
Both Marriott STARS and Virtuoso offer excellent VIP benefits. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, STARS bookings also earn points and elite night credits. If you’re not tied to Bonvoy or you’d like a wider choice of dates, Virtuoso may suit you better. I’ll advise you on the best option when you enquire.
Majestic Miramar Palace set above San Sebastián’s coastline.
Fast Facts: Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian
The iconic Hotel Maria Cristina, a Belle Époque landmark on San Sebastián’s riverfront
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Hotel Maria Cristina |
| Address | Paseo de la República Argentina, 4, 20004 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain |
| Nearest Airport | San Sebastián Airport (EAS) – 20 km / approx. 20–25 mins by car |
| Rooms & Suites | 136 rooms and suites |
| Dining & Bar Options | Café Saigon, Dry Bar, breakfast restaurant |
| Spa & Wellness | Massage services on request, fitness centre nearby |
| @hotelmariacristina | |
| Website | marriott.com |
| TripAdvisor Ranking | #1 of 66 hotels in San Sebastián (as of July 2025) |
| Visiting | July 2025 |
Things to Do in San Sebastián, and Around
A few favourite spots and experiences in the area
I’ll be writing a full Travel Diaries series after our trip, but here are just a few of the things already on my list. I stumbled across a video of one of the water rides at the vintage amusement park, and from that moment I knew San Sebastián was somewhere I had to visit. Realising that Bilbao — and the Guggenheim — is just over an hour’s drive away, we decided to include that too. I’d originally looked at the train, but it seemed such a long and convoluted route with nothing direct, so I booked with Alsa, the Spanish coach firm, which runs regular shuttles throughout the day. I’d hoped to try one of their premium coaches in Supra class, but there’s only one a day and the timings didn’t work for us. Booking the normal service online was really easy though — you can even select your seats in advance.
Explore the Old Town (Parte Vieja) – Wander the charming cobblestone streets, full of pintxos bars, historic buildings, and vibrant local life.
La Concha Beach – Relax on one of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches, or take a stroll along the elegant promenade.
Monte Igueldo Amusement Park – Ride the funicular to this vintage theme park perched above the city for panoramic views and nostalgic fairground rides.
San Telmo Museoa – Discover Basque culture and history in this atmospheric museum housed in a 16th-century convent.
Day Trip to Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum – Just over an hour away, Bilbao is home to Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum and a thriving food and art scene.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations – Visit dramatic nearby spots like Gaztelugatxe, which doubled as Dragonstone in the series.
Mount Urgull & Castillo de la Mota – Hike up for sweeping views of the city and explore the old fortifications.
Pintxos Crawl – Sample San Sebastián’s world-famous culinary culture one bite at a time through its lively bars.
I hadn’t realised when I booked — and it isn’t really our thing either — but it turns out the San Sebastián Jazz Festival will also be on while we’re there this year, running from 19 through 27 July 2025, so worth knowing if you’re planning your own trip.
The futuristic Guggenheim gleaming at night in Bilbao.
The Best Places to Eat in San Sebastián
On our list: the places we can’t wait to try
San Sebastián is world–famous for its food, from Michelin–starred temples to the art of pintxos done properly. One of our favourite memories from a trip years ago to Seville and Granada was sitting outside a simple neighbourhood bar, enjoying plate after plate of tapas with a cold beer “con limón” — light, refreshing, and perfectly Spanish. Ever since then, we always try to recreate that feeling wherever we go, and San Sebastián seems made for it.
Here are a few spots on our list this time:
Café Saigon (at Hotel Maria Cristina) – The hotel’s signature restaurant serving elegant Asian fusion dishes in a beautiful setting. Try the tasting menu or the classic Vietnamese pho.
Dry Bar (at Hotel Maria Cristina) – A chic and classic cocktail bar in the lobby, ideal for a pre–dinner martini or a nightcap. They also do excellent small bites.
Easo Breakfast Restaurant (at Hotel Maria Cristina) – The perfect start to your day, with a generous buffet of hot and cold Basque and international options, served with impeccable style.
Bar Nestor – Legendary for its tomato salad, chuleta (steak), and intimate, no–fuss vibe. Get there early to grab a table.
Gandarias Jatetxea – A buzzing, quintessential pintxos bar in the Old Town. Great for jumping into the local rhythm of bar–hopping and grazing.
Bodegón Alejandro – Traditional Basque flavours reimagined with refinement. A great introduction to local cuisine beyond pintxos.
Atari Gastroteka – Lively and creative, with modern pintxos and a fantastic view of the Basilica from its terrace.
Wandering the Old Town, stopping wherever looks good, and ordering a beer with lemon alongside a plate or two is still one of the simplest pleasures of travelling in Spain — and one we can’t wait to relive here.
Atmospheric streets of the old town, San Sebastián.
Why Book with The Private Traveller & Fora Travel
When you plan your trip through The Private Traveller, in partnership with Fora Travel, you unlock a world of extra touches and privileges that make all the difference. From VIP welcome amenities to complimentary breakfast and a $100 resort credit, your stay feels even more special. You’ll also enjoy priority for room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out whenever available.
Every itinerary is designed around you — fully bespoke, stress-free, and full of little details you’ll remember long after you return. Let’s craft your perfect luxury escape.
Striking architecture of Bilbao’s Guggenheim and La Salve Bridge.
Stay Connected & Get Inspired
For more inspiration, insider advice, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my journeys, join me here:
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If you’re planning something similar, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment — I’d love to hear about your plans and help turn them into something unforgettable.
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